Tragedy struck a Lotus River family on Tuesday when four relatives, including a six-year-old boy, died in a blaze that engulfed their family home.
Residents in Cuckoo Crescent watched in disbelief as the charred remains of oupa Willem October, 80, Sonja Jantjies, 45, Brendan May, 48, and six-year-old Jayden Jantjies were carried out of the home after being trapped inside.
Their 17-year-old relative, Claudine Abels, was hailed a hero, but left traumatised after seeing her oupa in flames.
The teen told the Daily Voice that she woke up smelling smoke shortly after 2am.
HERO: Lotus River's Claudine Abels saved her dad
“When I woke up, the place was filled with smoke and the flames everywhere.
"I rushed to get my sisters out and then I went for my daddy, Raymond Smith, who has gout and can’t run,” she says.
The brave teen says couple Sonja and Brendan, along with their son Jayden, were trapped inside a hokkie behind the house and she could not get to them, but turned around for her oupa.
She got a skrik when she saw his body in flames. “He was in the room at the back and when I looked to get him, I saw him in flames. He couldn’t say anything.”
Dad is safe now: Raymond Smith
Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Jermaine Carelse says they received the call for help at 2am and responded to find the house and the hokkie alight.
“The bodies of two men, a woman and a child were found with fatal burn wounds.
"The fire was extinguished at 3.35am and a chaplain was requested to assist the family,” he says.
Smith says the grieving family have now been left with nowhere to stay and nothing to eat.
Anyone who would like to assist can call Millicent on 062 282 2087
.